Killing of Osama bin Laden

The 2011 U.S. raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The operation was conducted by Navy SEALs under the authority of President Barack Obama.

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Operation Neptune Spear: The U.S. military operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad on May 2, 2011. This was the operation’s official name.
September 11 attacks: A series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda in the United States on September 11, 2001. The attacks made capturing or killing bin Laden a central U.S. objective.
Barack Obama: The 44th president of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. Obama authorized the operation and announced bin Laden’s death.
U.S.–Pakistan relations: The diplomatic, military, and economic relationship between the United States and Pakistan. The raid, conducted without Pakistan’s prior public consent, strained relations.
Abbottabad Commission: A Pakistani commission established to investigate how bin Laden lived undetected in Abbottabad and how the raid occurred. Its inquiry examined Pakistani institutions’ failures and the raid’s circumstances.
Naval Special Warfare Development Group: A U.S. Navy special operations unit also known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six. Its assault team carried out the raid.
War in Afghanistan: The conflict that began with the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. The war began as the United States sought al-Qaeda and its leadership.
Leon Panetta: The U.S. intelligence and defense official who led the CIA from 2009 to 2011. Panetta oversaw the CIA during the final intelligence effort.
Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself and control its territory without external interference. The operation raised questions about using force inside Pakistan.
Killing of Osama bin Laden legal debate: The debate over whether the raid complied with international law and the laws governing armed conflict. The operation raised questions about lethal force in another state without its consent.